South Africa coach Rob Walter identified the team’s failure in the last 10 overs with the ball as a determining factor in their semi-final defeat to New Zealand on March 5. He also cited the brilliance of Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, whose centuries were instrumental in ruining South Africa’s ICC Champions Trophy run. Compounding their misery was a failure to deliver meaningful partnerships with the bat, an ongoing problem that finally did for them in another ICC knockout heartbreak.

For all their impressive build-up to the semi-finals, South Africa was again left wanting, losing by 50 runs against New Zealand. Walter, during the post-match press conference, acknowledged that losing the toss placed his side on the back foot but stressed that there were quite a few other things that just did not go their way. He praised New Zealand for a well-balanced effort and confessed that South Africa had missed vital chances to turn the game around in their favour.

“I don’t believe it was any single one thing that led to the loss, likely a couple. We might have managed the last 10 overs a bit better. They edged away from us a bit. There was a patch in the middle of the innings when Kane and Rachin began to accelerate a little bit. We had missed a few chances there to hold things back. And then of course, the partnership was shattered when we were batting,” Rob Walter said.

ALSO READ: Sunil Gavaskar Advises Rohit Sharma To Bat Longer For Greater Impact

South Africa’s batting meltdown cost them. Although David Miller’s scintillating century (100* off 67 balls) in the death overs gave them hope, they were left with too much work to do. New Zealand, led by Williamson’s 102 and Ravindra’s 108, posted a herculean total of 363 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Their disciplined bowling attack then closed the screws, limiting South Africa to 312/9 and entering the final.

A slow beginning only added to South Africa’s woes. Captain Temba Bavuma’s 56 off 71 deliveries placed extra pressure on the middle order, which made it impossible for the team to maintain the desired run rate. In the period from the 25th to the 35th over, South Africa was dealt a collapse blow that left them in disarray. A late counter-attack by Miller couldn’t make amends.

Rob Walter admitted that although South Africa displayed moments of resistance, their failure to take hold of pivotal moments was expensive. New Zealand’s bowlers carried out their strategies perfectly, taking advantage of South Africa’s weaknesses under stress. “We lost a few crucial wickets in the middle. If we could have sustained a good partnership there, I believe it would have been a very close finish. In comparison, if you see the first 20 overs, there was nothing that differentiated the two teams,” he thought.

ALSO READ: David Miller Reflects On Semi-Final Defeat, Backs New Zealand Amid Scheduling Challenges

With another ICC knockout heartbreak behind them, the Proteas must now reassess their approach heading into future tournaments. Despite their undeniable talent, the inability to handle pressure in big matches continues to haunt them, leaving their hunt for an elusive ICC trophy frustratingly unfulfilled.